What to do about Thomas?

[Mrs K. Saunders]

Katherine stands in front of the stage door of the theatre. Christine has told her that Thomas will be just finishing off his duties at this time and should be free to see her. She smirks internally at that thought. She is pretty sure he would always make time to see her no matter what his duties were at that very moment. Why Christine is quite so concerned about the usher she has yet to understand. Thomas is a just a youth with a crush, albeit, perhaps stronger than average, it is surely a daily occurrence? This all seems a waste of her precious time.

She looks down at her wrist. The bracelet is of course of inferior quality, but the design is pretty. She finds herself quite taken with it. Damn Jack seemed quite adamant she should give it back. She sighs and knocks on the stage door.

[Christine Daye]

Katherine's knock at the stage door is answered (eventually) by a young boy of about eleven years of age, though affecting a world-weary and knowledgeable demeanor. Though, to be fair, this being a theatre, he probably has seen enough strangeness to justify his mien.

He looks her up and down, taking in her rich clothes, and the slightly scandalous way she's unaccompanied on a dark winter's night, with snow on the ground.

"Can I help you, Miss?"

[Mrs K. Saunders]

“Hello young sir, I am Mrs. Saunders. I was told by my friend Miss Daye that the usher Thomas would be free at this time? I was hoping to speak with him. Could you find him and tell him for me? Could I wait inside? It is rather a cold and dark night out here.”

She smiles pleasantly and looks at him expectantly.

“Oh and for your trouble, here.” She places a few copper coins on his palm.

[Christine Daye]

The boy makes the coins disappear quicker than any stage magician, his eyes widening at her introduction. He then bows low in a flamboyant fashion.

"Forgive me, please, Mrs Saunders," he says. "I should have recognised you. Thomas hasn't stopped singing your praises for the past... age!"

He grins, a flash of cheeky humour.

"Come in out of the cold! Bloody freezing it is, pardon my French."

He escorts her inside.

"Now just you wait here, Missus, and I'll go fetch Thomas."

Sure enough, the boy is as good as his word, and Thomas appears, his face flushed and breath quick, like he's been running. Unfortunately he's also accompanied by a gaggle of chorus girls and others of the younger members of theatre staff, all looking on with avid interest.

Thomas blushes horribly.

"Mrs Saunders!"

It comes out more of a squeak, and he coughs, tries again. He's desperately trying to appear more grown up and suave and sophisticated than he actually is.

"I am honoured to see you. Are you well? Did... did you get my message?"

[Mrs K. Saunders]

On seeing him she thinks him a little pathetic in his simpering. She nods at the young lad, “I did and I am very well, thank you.” Though it possible she looks a little lacklustre compared to when he saw her last. The after effects of the opium still working through her system a couple of nights on. Also this time she puts no effort Into being particularly enamouring.

She briefly looks over at the assembled crowd of fellow theatrical staff. She leans in close to Thomas and whispers in his ear.

“Do you think there is somewhere we could speak without an audience or being overheard? Is there such a place in the theatre or ought we go elsewhere?”

She moves back and smiles to everyone.

[Christine Daye]

Thomas' eyes widen in shock for a moment. Was Katherine propositioning him?

He swallows nervously, several times, his thoughts in a whirl.

"...um... er.... of course... please follow me... um... Miss Daye is expecting you!"

There's a burst of laughter from the audience, and one wag calls out mockingly:

"Go on Thomas! Don't keep Her Ladyship waiting!"

Blushing furiously, and with his jaw clenching in anger, Thomas leads Katherine to a small parlour near the main office. It's comfortable, yet bohemian, with playbills and bookshelves lining the walls.

Thomas closes the door after checking to see that there is no one lurking in the corridor.

He turns to Katherine with a beaming smile.

"I am.... I am simply ecstatic to see you! I have been dreaming about you. You are so beautiful!"

And then he moves closer, in a clumsy attempt to kiss her.

[Mrs K. Saunders]

Katherine raises her arms in front of her face to protect her from Thomas’ romantic advances.

She gasps dramatically, “Mr... control yourself! Thomas, I do not even know your full name! What kind of woman do you take me for? How dare you launch yourself at me like that!”

She steps back away..

“I have every thought of leaving now and never returning to this theatre.... And you can explain to Miss Daye why I cannot visit!

[Christine Daye]

Thomas jumps back, as if scalded. His face is scarlet with embarrassment and confusion.

"But! But you invited me! Wanted to go someplace private! I thought that's what you wanted!"

[Mrs K. Saunders]

She acts hurt.
“I just wanted to get away from your sniggering friends, protect you from
them. I am certainly not the kind of woman who would ... I .. would never.”

She pretends to sob slightly.

“I thought you a gentlemen but it is obvious you are not.”

She takes the bracelet off her wrist and offers it to him.

[Christine Daye]

He stares at her in shock for a long moment, then falls to his knees in front of her.

"Please forgive me!" he cries, an expression of anguish on his face. "I should have known that you were better than that! I am so sorry, forgive me, please!"